Lamwo district has launched a district-wide documentation and recovery exercise targeting beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) who received funds in the financial year 2022/2023, as authorities move to strengthen accountability and recover mismanaged funds.
The exercise follows a directive issued by the National PDM focal person to accounting officers, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Chairpersons, Chief Administration officer (CAO) and other implementing authorities across the country, calling for proper record verification and recovery of funds to safeguard the credibility of the program.
Speaking in an interview, the Resident District Commissioner, William Komakech, confirmed that district leadership had convened meetings with PDM SACCO leaders to commence the documentation and recovery process.
He explained that the exercise will focus on verifying beneficiary records, assessing repayment status under the revolving fund component, and confirming that funds were invested in approved income-generating enterprises.
“This is not a witch-hunt,” Komakech said. “The intention is to ensure transparency, accountability and sustainability of the program. We want genuine beneficiaries to continue accessing the revolving funds while ensuring public resources are protected.”
He urged all beneficiaries who received funds during the 2022/2023 financial year to cooperate with parish chiefs, SACCO leaders and district officials during the recovery process.
The RDC warned that individuals found to have diverted funds or failed to comply with program guidelines may be required to refund the money in line with government regulations or be arrested.
The Parish Development Model is a flagship government intervention designed to transition households from subsistence production to participation in the money economy. Under the program, funds are channeled directly to parish-level SACCOs to support enterprises in agriculture, trade, processing and other income-generating activities.
Since the rollout of PDM in the 2022/2023 financial year, Lamwo district has received over shs22 billion to support implementation across its 86 parishes.
According to Komakech, each parish is entitled to receive shs100 million under the revolving fund arrangement.
Lamwo district comprises 86 parishes, with at least 50 beneficiaries targeted per parish in every disbursement cycle. Priority is given to applicants who have successfully completed earlier verification and compliance requirements.
“The remaining beneficiaries and parishes will be progressively cleared once accountability and data validation conditions are met,” Komakech added.
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The Chief Administrative Officer of Lamwo, Chuna Moses Kapolon, confirmed that the district still has over shs50 million under the PDM fund on its account, pending final processing and verification before disbursement to approved beneficiaries.
“The process is ongoing. We are ensuring that the right people receive the funds and that documentation is complete before release,” Kapolon said. “We encourage communities to prepare viable enterprise proposals to avoid delays once clearance is given.”
At the community level, reactions to the verification exercise have been mixed, with many beneficiaries expressing willingness to comply while calling for fairness and transparency.
Grace Aciro, a beneficiary from Padibe town council who invested her funds in poultry farming, welcomed the exercise, saying it will protect serious entrepreneurs.
“I used my money to expand my poultry project. If they come to verify, I am ready to show them. Those who misused the money should refund so others can also benefit,” she said.
However, some beneficiaries have appealed for flexibility, citing challenges such as drought, fluctuating market prices and disease outbreaks that have affected agricultural enterprises.
Okello James, a beneficiary engaged in sunflower farming, said unpredictable weather conditions reduced his harvest last season.
“We invested the money properly, but the yields were low because of drought. We need technical support and more time to repay, not only pressure,” he noted.
Local leaders have largely welcomed the documentation exercise, describing it as necessary to restore confidence in the program. Parish councillor Margaret Lamaro said proper verification will ensure that the revolving fund continues benefiting more households.
“If the money turns out well, more families will move out of poverty. But if some people keep it without accountability, the program will collapse,” she said.
District agricultural officers have also emphasized the need for continued sensitization on enterprise selection, financial literacy and record keeping to minimize cases of misuse.
Lamwo leaders say the funds are expected to boost agriculture, small-scale enterprises and value addition projects, contributing to food security and household income improvement in a district still recovering from the effects of past conflict and climate shocks.
Authorities are currently mobilizing communities to organize in SACCO groups, update beneficiary registers and prepare enterprise proposals ahead of subsequent disbursement phases. The documentation exercise is expected to continue across all parishes in the coming weeks.
District officials maintain that the ultimate goal is not punishment, but ensuring that the Parish Development Model achieves its core objective of transforming livelihoods at the grassroots level while safeguarding public funds for future beneficiaries.
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